2015 Polls: Allow use of card reader, group urges stakeholders

Anarchy looms in the country if the card readers meant to accredit voters in the forthcoming general elections are jettisoned.

A pressure group in Ondo State, Akoko Elite Forum (AEF), issued this warning even as it described those opposed to the card readers as “those only fighting for their selfish interests.”

The group in a communiqué issued after its three-day meeting in Lagos and Abuja insisted that the card readers must be used for the 2015 polls.

The communiqué was signed by its Vice-President, Prince Boye Ologbese and Secretary, Richard Daodu respectively.

The Forum criticised leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for kicking against the use of the device and allegedly working behind the scene to frustrate Prof. Attaihiru Jega, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While describing those opposed to the use of the card readers as “enemies of democracy”, the group also lampooned the PDP for allegedly forming alliance with some smaller political parties to truncate democracy in the country by calling for a further postponement of the elections.

The group said, “The idea of the card readers by INEC is to ensure absolute transparency in the electoral process. This would prevent anybody from using another person card or fake PVC cards to vote during the election.”

It noted that since the acquisition of the card readers was budgeted for and approved by the National Assembly, it would be a waste of billions of naira of tax payers’ money if the devise is abandoned at this stage.